MacBook Air 2018: what we want to see

INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Given its ripe old age, there’s no doubt in our minds that the MacBook Air will soon be replaced with something harder, better, faster and
stronger.In 2018 the cheapest Apple notebook features a 5th-generation Intel Core i5 or i7 processor, whereas most notebooks are rocking
8th-generation Intel Core chips in 2018.Luckily, the internet is awash in MacBook Air 2018 rumors, meaning we could see  new MacBook Air
any time now
That is, according to KGI Securities Analyst Ming Chi Kuo, who claims that a cheaper, entry-level MacBook Air will replace the $999 (£999,
around AU$1,199) model later this year.So perhaps by the end of WWDC 2018 we’ll see something about the next version of the MacBook Air
– whatever it looks like – reportedly alongside a cheaper 13-inch Retina MacBook
That’s why we decided to take a look at everything there is to know about the MacBook Air 2018.Now, we don’t have any official info, but
we went ahead and made some educated guesses based on past releases and rumors floating around the internet
Plus, we’ll lay out what we want to see if a new MacBook Air does show up in 2018.So, join us and save this page, as we’ll update it
with the latest MacBook Air 2018 news and speculation when and if it shows up.Cut to the chaseWhat is it A hopeful sequel to Apple’s most
popular laptopWhen is it out June 2018 at the earliestWhat will it cost Hopefully as much as current modelsMacBook Air 2018 release dateFor
as much as we appreciate the revised butterfly hinge keyboard in the MacBook and MacBook Pro, we’d really like to see at least one Apple
laptop hold onto its traditional keyboard
There’s enough room inside the chassis, and giving fans a choice would be admirable.At the same time, there’s a patent going around at
the moment that suggests a spill-proof and crumb-resistant keyboard is in the works behind the doors at Apple Park
Filed recently by Apple, the keyboard “could include a substrate, a key cap and a guard structure extending from the key cap that funnels
contaminants away from the movement mechanism.”Should it maintain the same travel and tactile feel of the MacBook Air today, this is a
change to the keyboard we wouldn’t mind.Don’t expect much about the MacBook Air price to change year over year – its affordability is
a huge part of its continued draw.Looking back further than this, the MacBook Air has received updates on an annual basis since its release
in 2008, and in largely different months during those years
That said, June has been the most popular month for this laptop to receive upgrades.So, if Kuo’s sources are wrong, that leaves us with
the most likely release month for a would-be 2018 MacBook Air being June, likely directly following a WWDC 2018 announcement
That would be a properly annual launch, and have the fanfare of Apple’s huge developer event behind it for a triumphant return.If Apple
misses that time frame, the next likely debut window is October or November, just in time for the Christmas and holiday shopping craze
We’ll look out for new rumors and update this article as soon as the possible MacBook Air 2018 release date begins to inch closer.MacBook
Air 2018 priceOf course, without a mention of a MacBook Air 2018 rumor beyond its prophesied death, that leaves us with next to nothing
regarding the price of such an Apple laptop
Those types of leaks don’t tend to crop up until we get closer to an expected release date.However, don’t expect much about the MacBook
Air price to change year over year – its affordability is a huge part of its continued draw
Apple has already nailed the prices for its two MacBook Air models, starting at $999, £949 or AU$1,499.It would be a surprise if Apple were
to throw one of its newfangled T series processors (based on ARM architecture) inside a MacBook Air 2018.From there, you can double the
starting model’s 128GB SSD capacity to 256GB for another $200, £150 or AU$300.If pricing were to change this year, we’d wager that
Apple would simply make room for that rumored 13-inch, entry-level MacBook by either bumping up or knocking down this MacBook Air’s
hardware and adjust accordingly
Though, it’s probably more likely that Apple would just shutter the laptop line altogether if that aforementioned MacBook is a
reality.We’ll look out for new rumors and update this article as soon as the MacBook Air 2018 price begins to grow clearer.What we want to
see in MacBook Air 2018Naturally, this 100% lack of any truly substantial information about the forthcoming 2018 MacBook Air gives us plenty
of room to draw up a wishlist
So, here’s what we want to see from a MacBook Air for 2018.Up-to-date components all aroundThis is the most basic and essential of
requests, but the MacBook Air could really use a soup to nuts upgrade
From the processor to the ports and screen resolution, everything about the MacBook Air could do with ample refinements. This should start
with the design of the laptop
In its current state, the MacBook Air appears more antiquated than the Windows laptops that have shamelessly ripped it off
What it needs now more than ever is a Retina display that goes as bezel-less as possible without sacrificing the webcam.And, now that Intel
has announced a wide range of 8th-generation Coffee Lake processors for laptops, we all but expect the 2018 line of MacBooks to feature them
in some shape or form
 A better screenThere’s no argument from us that the MacBook Air’s display needs to get with the times
By now, every other MacBook except the Air is using a Retina display featuring at least 226 pixels per inch (ppi)
Meanwhile, the MacBook Air remains stagnant at only 128 ppi, a measly 1,440 x 900 pixels on a 13.3-inch panel. We can conclude, then, that
the resolution has to get a bump of at least 76% in order to keep up with Apple’s other products
Fortunately, the webcam doesn’t necessitate a similar treatment, as the current MacBook Air FaceTime camera already captures video at a
higher resolution than the pricier 12-inch MacBook. No matter how crisp its screen, the MacBook Air 2018 will benefit from the MoltenVK
Vulkan API implementation recently introduced for Apple’s Metal 2 graphics framework
This means we can expect to see higher frame rates across the board for a number of multiplatform games available for macOS including, but
not limited to, Dota 2.The traditional keyboard staysFor as much as we appreciate the revised butterfly hinge keyboard in the MacBook and
MacBook Pro, we’d really like to see at least one Apple laptop hold onto its traditional keyboard
There’s enough room inside the chassis, and giving fans a choice would be admirable.Plus, using existing hardware could keep the costs of
a revamped MacBook Air down to where they should be, thus maintaining the price.Fast charging, pleaseIt shouldn’t be difficult for Apple
to maintain the same stellar level of battery life within the MacBook Air if all of its parts are upgraded in tandem
But, just to make the experience that much better, charging the laptop for 10-plus hours of use in a fraction of the time would be nice.This
comes in tandem with the request for new ports, i.e
USB-C for fast charging, but we’d like to see to see the MagSafe cord remain
Even the option for both would be pleasant.iOS apps on MacBook ProNow that it’s been bandied about for a while, we’ve come around to
idea of iOS apps on macOS
The prospect of continuing work from our phones straight away on our laptops – or polishing off that top score upon sitting down at the
desk – is an exciting one.However, Apple needs to determine how this is going to be intuitive if a MacBook with a touchscreen remains
unlikely
Will the mouse simply stand in for our fingers, or does Apple have something fresh up its sleeveThese are the best Macs that 2018 has to
offer so farGabe Carey has also contributed to this reportmVomFCvG4yGgPuSfCSteMg.jpg#